Cootes Transport faces NSW ban: govt

THE trucking company involved in a fatal Sydney fuel tanker crash that supplies NSW service stations with almost half of their fuel is facing a state-wide ban.

Roads Minister Duncan Gay said Cootes Transport had shown a "blatant disregard for safety" and now had 14 days to explain why its trucks shouldn't be suspended or banned from travelling on NSW roads.

His announcement came after two people were killed and five injured in October 2013, when a Cootes tanker rolled on its side, burst into flames and collided with several cars on Mona Vale Road in Sydney's north.

"I have lost confidence in this company as an operator of dangerous goods movements on NSW roads," Mr Gay told parliament on Thursday.

"Enough is enough."

Cootes' parent company McAleese Group said it was surprised by the minister's announcement, considering it was already in the process of winding back most of its NSW operations.

Cootes supplies about 45 per cent of the state's fuel, but having recently failed to renew key contracts with BP and Shell, that number will fall dramatically in the coming months.

A McAleese spokesman said the company took its safety responsibilities "extremely seriously" and would respond to the government's concerns within the two weeks given to it.

The government in February called for Cootes' 400-strong NSW fleet to be re-inspected after problems were found in a number of trucks during routine checks.

Of about 320 vehicles checked, only 179 had not received a formal warning or defect notice, Mr Gay said.

"The community deserves to feel safe on our roads and this blatant disregard for safety will not be tolerated," he said.

The opposition's roads spokesman Walt Secord said while Labor supported the minister's announcement, it was concerned for drivers who now face "possible unemployment".

Caltex, which relies on Cootes to transport about 50 per cent of its fuel supply, said trucks should only be taken off the road if they fail regulatory checks.

Colin Long, from the Service Station Association, said a Cootes' ban could seriously impact major oil brands.